MOVISTAR KITEBOARD WORLD CUP - PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO

Singles Elimination

The second day of the Movistar Kiteboard World Cup started out very nice with the onshore wind packing a speed of up to 20 knots which was slightly better than forecasted. The water was a little choppy plus the strong current made it more difficult for some of the competitors to land their tricks and stay in the box, particularly the women. Overall, the riders did well both in the freestyle event and in the racing competition.

There were four rounds of singles events splitting up the heat after the first round of elimination. The first heat started at 9:50 in the morning between Rocky Chatwell (US, Crazyfly) and Sebastien Garat (France, RRD) with Chatwell inching his way past the French champ. Garat, who has been kiting for five years now was last years overall freestyle champion in another kiteboarding tour. Ironically, he was stopped on early by a PKRA tour veteran in the first heat but the French rider is hopeful that tomorrow’s games would push the luck on his side. “I did not ride very well, so I lost in the first heat. The gusty condition made it difficult for me to do my tricks. In tomorrow’s double eliminations, I expect to win some heats and my goal is to go higher up the ladder as I could,” said Garat.

There were a total of eight heats fought in the first round of eliminations. As expected, last year’s tour leaders made it to the second round including current world #13 Michael Schitzhofer (Austria, Naish) and current world #3 Youri Zoon (Netherlands, Slingshot). Zoon is actually back from last years knee injury, making his way up the standings beating three riders in a row including world #4 Alvaro Onieva (Spain, Best) in heat #13 before bowing down to world #2 Kevin Langeree (Netherlands, Naish) in heat #15.

PKRA judge Carlos Saez commented, “I’m really impressed with Youri’s performance who, despite suffering an injury last year is back there competing. Although I think he injured his knee again but he’s a tough guy. I’m really impressed how this guy is riding.” Zoon actually managed to secure the third podium position despite his injury, beating Cesar Portas (Spain, North) in the loosers final. Michael Schitzhofer (Naish) also played a really good game today and is worth noting, after beating countryman Julian Hosp and Marc Jacobs (New Zealand, North) in two consecutive heats before loosing to Langeree. When asked about how he feels loosing, this young Austrian rider said, “I lost but it’s okay, he’s the winner of the event, not too bad to loose against him.” It was also very impressive to see what was happening between Aaron Hadlow (UK, Flexifoil) and Kevin Langeree and the people at the beach were very anxious to see these two go up against each other. They both had really good heats but it was a 3-2 decision in the end that favored Kevin’s solid riding power.

The women riders struggled frantically with the conditions which required an extra effort for them to land their tricks. The final heat saw Bruna Kajiya (Brazil, Best) going up against 14-year old world champion Gisela Pulido (Spain, Slingshot). Kajiya landed several good moves but not as solid as Gisela’s solid, powered landings. However, the young Spanish champ was disqualified after making a wrong move that lead her kite to tangle with Kajiya’s kite.

Freestyleresults:

Men:

1. Kevin Langeree (Netherlands, Naish)

2. Aaron Hadlow (UK, Flexifoil)

3. 
   Youri Zoon (Netherlands, Slingshot)

Women:

1. Bruna Kajiya (Brazil, Best)

2. Gisela Pulido (Spain, Slingshot)

3. Susi Mai (Germany, Cabrinha)

Race results:

Men Race 1:

1. Sean Farley (Mexico, North)

2. Charles Deleau (France, North)

3. Bruno Sroka (France, Takoon)

Men Race 2:

1. Sean Farley (Mexico, North)

2. Sami Gali (Spain, Best)

3. Charles Deleau (France, North)

Women Race 1:

1. Johara Sykes-Davis (UK, Flexifoil)

2. Angela Peral (Spain, North)

3. Susi Mai (Germany, Cabrinha)

Women Race 2:

1. Steph Bridge (UK, North)

2. Angela Peral (Spain, North)

3. Raquel Arroyo (Mexico, Naish)